Pool B saw North Harbour and Wellington vying for top spot. North Harbour have a wealth of ANZ experience in the defensive end in Erana Mikaere and Oceane Maihi along with Erikana Peterson controlling things through the middle. In comparison Wellington showed their exciting emerging talent with Pulse Training Partner (TP) Phoenix Schwalger, ANZ players Khiarna Williams and Sarah Guiney rotating the shooting end. Supported through the midcourt by Pulse TP鈥檚 Skylah Tainui-Takerei and Erana Ngarimu. Wellington eventually taking the spoils 49 鈥� 38 and top spot.
In Pool C, Manawatu Green clinched top spot when they secured a 35 - 31 win over the previously unbeaten Christchurch Whero. Trailing 27 鈥� 24, heading into the final quarter Manawatu Green managed to wrestle the lead off Christchurch in the final few minutes. Led by ever-green goal attack Renee Matoe setting the tone expertly for Manawatu Green, one of the shortest players in the circle using all her craftiness to orchestrate proceedings on attack while chiming in with her accuracy under the hoop.
Auckland and Tauranga rounded out the mornings Pool play with wins over Counties Manukau (52 鈥� 34) and Waitakere (48 鈥� 39) respectively to claim top spots.
The competition has now split with the top two teams from each pool progressing into the top 8 (1st 鈥� 8th play off) Teams are seeded into Cross over pool play according to their pool finishing positions. Auckland, North Harbour, Tauranga, and Christchurch Whero making up one pool. With Manawatu Green, Waitakere, Wellington, and Kapa Mana the other. With the winners of the pools meeting in the grand final on Sunday.
The remaining teams will play off for positions 8th 鈥� 15th with Counties Manukau, Taranaki, Manawatu Whie and Hutt Valley in one Pool and Netball Manurewa, Hawkes Bay and South Canterbury in the other.
This first round of cross over matches commenced in the afternoon and some highly competitive matches mixed with some cross-town rivalry taking place.
The battle of the bridge was a tightly contested match, between Auckland and North Harbour. With both teams boasting impressive defensive ends with the experienced Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka and NZU21 World Youth Cup defender Charlotte Manley for Auckland, and Erana Mikaere and Oceane Maihi in the back for North Harbour. Auckland stayed slightly ahead on the score board throughout the match. Until North Harbour drew even in the final minutes, and eventually forcing the game into overtime. With North Harbour prevailing 34 - 33 after 2 x 3-minute periods of overtime.
The Dame Noeline Taurua coached Tauranga team jumped out to an early lead against Christchurch Whero, heading into the 1st quarter with a 14 鈥� 8 lead. Christchurch Whero regathered, chipping away at the score line closing the gap to 4 during the match. But Tauranga held their composure to end the game 40 鈥� 33.
Both teams have an exciting mix of young up and coming players. Including 2025 World Youth Cup runners up - Jose Seymour for Canterbury Whero, Lose Fifita and Kate Taylor for Tauranga.
Waitakere jumped out to an early 16 鈥� 10 1st quarter lead against Manawatu Green. However, Manawatu Green has shown throughout the competition they do not lie down easily. Closing the gap to 2 by halftime, before taking charge of the 3rd and 4th quarter through great teamwork and tight defensive efforts by Parris Mason and Rhiarna Ferris . Finished off by the consistent shooting of Kaea Raukura and Renee Matoe.
Rounding out the last of the top 8 first round matches was another local derby, Wellington vs Kapa Mana. Kapa Mana started the stronger of the two heading in the 1st quarter with a 13 鈥� 10 lead. Wellington stepped up in the 2nd quarter to turn the tide ending the 2nd quarter ahead on the score board 24 鈥� 21. Maintaining their pressure throughout the court, Wellington ended the game ahead 56 鈥� 39.
In the 9th 鈥� 15th play off matches again saw some tightly contested games. 2025 Champions Counties Manukau will be looking to top this group. Starting strongly with a 50 鈥� 29 win over Hutt Valley. Taranaki and Manurewa also started with wins over Manawatu White (46 - 41) and South Canterbury (42 鈥� 38) respectively.